Visual Scaffolding

by: Elaine Quan
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What is Scaffolding?

  • All things that teachers do to predict developmental levels in the class
  • Tapping into prior knowledge
  • Providing just enough assistance for students to facilitate progress in learning
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Why Visual Scaffolding?

  • Provides comprehensible input both for students and ELL students
  • Makes complex ideas more accessible
  • Makes language more memorable
  • Uses images and words to assure content is seen and heard

How is this seen in the classroom?

  • Provides clear directions
  • Clarifies purpose
  • Keeps students on task
  • Offers assessment to clarify expectations
  • Reduces uncertainty, surprise and disappointment
  • Delivers efficacy
  • Choosing high-frequency vocabulary


Visual Scaffolding Before, During and After Reading

Before:
· Introduce vocabulary with pictures
· Build background via illustrations
· Make connections to students’ experience
· Introduce text features
During:
· Use visuals to make predictions, text to confirm them
· Refer to visuals to check meaning
After:
· Use graphic organizer for retelling and for writing
· Use visuals to develop & practice vocabulary

Pros and Cons of Common Visual Aids
http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/visuals.htm